Method for adhering linerless repositionable sheets onto articles

ABSTRACT

A method for sequentially and precisely registering cut sheets for application onto advertising signatures at high speeds employs an initial roll of sheeting material. The sheeting material is unwound to track a process path, where eyemarks on the sheeting material are detected for use in registering the sheeting material to be cut into discrete sheets and to be aligned with a moving advertising signature for affixation thereto. The sheeting material has a repositionable pressure sensitive adhesive along one side edge thereof for use in adhering the cut sheet to the advertising signature. In one embodiment, the sheeting material is generally opaque adjacent one side edge and is sufficiently transparent adjacent its other side edge so that when a sheet cut from the sheeting material is adhered to an advertising signature, images on the advertising signature are visible through at least a portion of the sheet.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/020,724, filed on Jun. 21, 1996, for “Method andApparatus for Adhering Linerless Repositionable Sheets onto Articles,”by Alden R. Miles et al.; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/729,780,filed on Oct. 8, 1996, for “Method and Apparatus for Adhering LinerlessRepositionable Sheets onto Articles,” by Alden R. Miles et al. and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/443,430, filed on Nov. 19, 1999, for“Method and Apparatus for Adhering Linerless Repositionable Sheets ontoArticles,” by Alden R. Miles et al.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] It is well known to including advertising insert cards(“blow-ins”) with no adhesive in magazines for promotional purposes.These insert cards simply sit between pages loosely and may fall outwhen the magazine is read. Typically, such insert cards are in the formof a postcard for the reader to complete and return.

[0003] Repositionable sheets, such as the POST-IT® brand notes sold byMinnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company of St. Paul, Minn., are quitecommon and in every day use. Such sheets in familiar form are availablein stacks or pads of sheets, one adhered to another. Such repositionablesheets have a first side which is partially coated with a repositionablepressure sensitive adhesive (RPSA) and a second side which is eitherplain (no printing) for writing a note, or which may have a preprintedmessage or design thereon. Such repositionable sheets are useful forcalling attention to a particular section of a document, for markingpages in documents or books, or for leaving removable and repositionablenotes that can be adhered to just about any clean surface.

[0004] The utility of placing a repositionable sheet on an advertisingsignature, flyer, newspaper, magazine, etc. has also been noted. Anadvertising signature is an insert that is placed in a magazine andcomprises a plurality of pages, typically rectangular pieces of paperhaving advertising printed thereon and being folded over to form aregistration edge. When placed in a magazine, the advertising signatureis bound to the other magazine pages along the registration edge.Advertising signatures have been provided with repositionable labelsthat contain information such as the name and telephone number of theadvertiser or a coupon for a price discount. The labels arerepositionable so that they can be removed from the advertisingsignature and adhered at another location (for example, a desk orrefrigerator) to remind the reader to call the advertiser or to use thecoupon at a later date.

[0005] Many of such labels that have been placed on advertisingsignatures have a repositionable pressure sensitive adhesive (RPSA)coated over the entire back side of the label. Labels that have RPSAcoated over their entire back side are typically carried on a linerbefore being adhered to an advertising signature. The labels on theliner are supplied to an apparatus which separates the label from theliner and adheres the label to an advertising signature. The label istypically separated from the liner by a peeler bar, and the label issubsequently adhered to a substrate (that could be an advertisingsignature), typically by a blast of air. The liner, which previouslysupported the label, often is rewound on a take-up reel and subsequentlydiscarded as waste. These methods and apparatus have drawbacks in thatthey generate waste in the form of a useless liner, require additionalequipment on the apparatus to remove the label and store the liner (forexample, a peeler bar and take-up reel), and use excess quantities ofadhesive by having the entire back side of the label coated with RPSA.

[0006] In another approach to promote an advertisement in an advertisingsignature, a backer card is employed to secure a repositionable,information-containing sheet to an advertising signature. See U.S. Pat.No. 4,842,303, incorporated herein by reference. The backer card has aregistration edge which is aligned with the registration edge of theadvertising signature. The repositionable sheet of paper has a narrowband of RPSA coated on one surface adjacent to an edge of therepositionable sheet. The repositionable sheet is adhered along theregistration edge of the backer card by the narrow band of RPSA. Thecombination backer card and repositionable sheet is secured to anadvertising signature by gluing the backer card to the advertisingsignature using, for example, a tipping machine.

[0007] Although the approach disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,303employs an information-containing sheet which only uses a narrow band ofRPSA, it too has a number of drawbacks. One drawback is the need toemploy a backer card to secure the repositionable sheet to anadvertising signature. Another drawback is the need for a number ofadditional process steps to assemble the combination backercard/repositionable sheet before it is attached to an advertisingsignature. The additional process steps that have been used include:laminating the adhesive bearing sheet and backer card together inregistry; cutting the laminated webs to a master sheet size (typically,8.5 by 12 inches); stacking the cut master sheets; jogging the mastersheets; cutting them into conventional sizes (for example, 4 inches by 6inches); stacking the cut laminated sheets; and then shipping them to aninserter for attachment to an advertising signature.

[0008] It is believed that the only publicly known method for directlyapplying linerless repositionable preprinted sheets having a band ofadhesive thereon directly onto articles such as magazines or advertisingsignatures is by manual means. A previous method and apparatus for anautomated application of such sheets is disclosed in co-pending U.S.patent application Ser. No. 08/963,147, which is a divisional of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 08/095,722, now abandoned, commonly owned bythe assignee of the instant application, Minnesota Mining andManufacturing Company, St. Paul, Minn., and incorporated herein byreference. In that disclosure, a supply roll of paper for forming suchsheets is incrementally dispensed, cut by a reciprocating knife, andthen transported to a flat vacuum plate, which first held the cut sheetby forming a vacuum and then blew the RPSA side of the cut sheet onto anadvertising signature. In this arrangement, a series of indicia (i.e.,“eyemarks”) printed on the RPSA side of the sheet material were detectedto control the movement of the sheet material through the apparatus andits alignment relative to its respective advertising signature. Thelocational placement of the cut sheet relative to the advertisingsignature is referred to as its registration. At the highest speedspossible with this equipment (e.g., 3,000 articles processed per hour),this prior art apparatus did not provide as precise a placement orregistration of the cut sheet on sequential advertising signatures asdesired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention relates to a new method and apparatus forapplying adhesive sheets directly to an advertising signature or otherarticle. Initially, the sheets are provided in roll form for processingand application. In one embodiment, a roll of sheet material iselongated longitudinally, has first and second opposed sheet surfacesand first and second opposed side edges. A pressure sensitive adhesiveextends in a predetermined pattern on only a first adhesive portion ofthe first surface of the sheet material, adjacent the first side edgethereof. The sheet material, adjacent its first side edge and includingthe first adhesive portion, is formed from a material that issufficiently transparent when adhered to a substrate that underlyingimages on the substrate are substantially visible through the sheetingmaterial. The sheet material also has a plurality of longitudinallyspaced and detectable images disposed in predetermined locations on thefirst adhesive portion thereof. In an alternative embodiment, the sheetmaterial in roll form is entirely opaque and has a plurality ofequally-spaced, longitudinally disposed images printed on both sidesthereof, with the images on the side bearing the pressure sensitiveadhesive serving as registration means for use in processing the sheetmaterial.

[0010] A method of sequentially adhering linerless sheets to acorresponding sequence of articles comprises supplying (a) an elongatedlinerless sheeting in wound roll form, with the sheeting having a firstmajor side and an opposed second major side. A pressure sensitiveadhesive coating partially covers the first side of the sheeting, whilethe second side of the sheeting is free of adhesive. (b) A leadingportion of the elongated linerless sheeting is advanced along a processpath until it reaches a cut station. (c) The leading portion of thelinerless sheeting is laterally cut to define a first cut sheet having afirst lead edge and a second trailing edge. (d) A vacuum platen havingan arcuate circumferential surface is aligned in engagement with atleast a portion of the second side of the first cut sheet adjacent thefirst lead edge thereof. (e) A negative pressure is drawn on a portionof the arcuate circumferential surface of the vacuum platen to affix thefirst cut sheet in the cut station thereto. (f) A first article having aface is advanced into an applicator station adjacent the vacuum platen.(g) The vacuum platen is moved to carry the first cut sheet from the cutstation to the applicator station, whereby the first cut sheet isaligned for placement on the face of the first article. (h) The negativepressure on the arcuate circumferential surface is relieved to releasethe first cut sheet from the vacuum platen. (i) The vacuum platen ismoved across the face of the article so that the pressure sensitiveadhesive on the first side of the first cut sheet is pressed against theface of the article to bond the first cut sheet to the face of thearticle. Steps (b) and (c) are repeated to define a second cut sheetfrom the elongated linerless sheeting. Steps (d) and (e) are repeatedwith the vacuum platen relative to the second cut sheet. The secondarticle having a face is advanced into the applicator station adjacentthe vacuum platen. Steps (g), (h) and (i) are repeated with the secondcut sheet to align, release from the vacuum platen and then press thesecond cut sheet against the face of the second article by the arcuatecircumferential surface of the vacuum platen.

[0011] In one embodiment, the elongated linerless sheeting processed bythe above-described method is light transmissive. Preferably, thelight-transmissive sheeting has, on either side, a series oflongitudinally disposed, equally spaced visual indicators, and themethod further includes the step of detecting each visual indicator onthe sheeting as it is advanced along the process path to generate asignal used for process control purposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a front view of a multipage advertising piece 12 havinga repositionable sheet 14 adhered to cover 16 thereof.

[0013]FIG. 2 is a sectional view as taken along lines 2-2 in FIG. 1.

[0014]FIG. 3 is a schematic front elevational representation ofapparatus 40 in accordance with the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 4 is a schematic of the control system for the apparatus 40of the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail view as taken along lines 5-5 in FIG.3.

[0017]FIG. 6 is an enlarged detail view of the drive roller 90 in FIG.3.

[0018]FIG. 7 is an enlarged detail view as taken along line 7-7 in FIG.3.

[0019]FIG. 8 is a front view of an advertising piece 12 having arepositionable sheet (tape flag) 214 adhered to the cover 16 thereof.

[0020]FIG. 9 is a sectional view as taken along lines 9-9 in FIG. 8.

[0021]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a roll of elongated, linerlessrepositionable sheeting of tape flag material.

[0022]FIG. 11 is an enlarged detail view of the inventive apparatus suchas FIG. 5, but substituting an elongated linerless tape flag sheetingfor the elongated note sheeting shown in FIG. 5.

[0023] While the above-identified drawing figures set forth preferredembodiments of the invention, other embodiments are also contemplated,as noted in the discussion. In all cases, this disclosure presents thepresent invention by way of representation and not limitation. It shouldbe understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can bedevised by those skilled in the art which fall within the scope andspirit of the principles of this invention. It should be specificallynoted that the figures have not been drawn to scale as it has beennecessary to enlarge certain portions for clarity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] In describing the preferred embodiments of the invention,specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity. Theinvention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific termsso selected, and it is to be understood that each term so selectedincludes all the technical equivalents that operate similarly.

[0025]FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a promotional assembly 10 that includesan advertising piece 12 and a repositionable sheet 14. The advertisingpiece shown has a plurality of pages: a first top page or cover 16, asecond or opposite inside page 18, a third or juxtapositioned insidepage 20, and a fourth or rear page 22. The pages 16, 18, 20 and 22 canbe printed on a single sheet which is folded at 24. Additional pages canbe provided by, for example, increasing the number of folded sheets. Inother forms, the advertising piece 12 may comprise a single sheet ormultiple sheets bound in some other manner (e.g., stapled or adheredtogether) or may even comprise a book, letter, product package, etc. Forpurposes of this application, it is only essential that the articlereceiving the repositionable sheet have a face (such as cover 16)suitable for the adherence of a repositionable sheet thereon.

[0026] The term “repositionable” means the sheet 14 can be adhered toand removed from a clean solid surface at least two times withoutsubstantially losing tack. Preferably, the sheet can be adhered to andremoved from a clean solid surface at least ten and, more preferably, atleast twenty times without substantially losing tack. The repositionablesheet 14 is secured directly to the advertising piece by RPSA 26 (FIG.2), coated at least partially on a first or back side 28 of the sheet14. The repositionable sheet 14 has a second or top side 30 onto whichinformation can be printed (e.g., which corresponds to or furtheremphasizes information printed on the advertising piece 12). Asillustrated, the repositionable sheet 14 can have the name and phonenumber of an advertiser printed on the top side 30 of the sheet 14.

[0027] A repositionable sheet suitable for this application can be aPOST-IT® brand note sold by Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company,St. Paul, Minn. Each POST-IT® brand note includes a sheet of paper thathas an adhesive partially coated on one side thereof. The sheet of paperis typically an unsaturated paper, which is paper that is notimpregnated with a resin. The adhesive is coated as a narrow bandadjacent one edge of the sheet, although other embodiments are possible,such as where only corners or other portions (or even all) of the backside of the sheet are coated with RPSA. The paper may be coated with aprimer to enhance the anchorage of the adhesive to the substrate. Theamount of adhesive on the back side of the repositionable sheet must besufficient to enable the sheet to adhere to a clean surface.

[0028] RPSAs are well known in the art as evidenced by U.S. Pat. Nos.5,045,569; 4,988,567; 4,994,322; 4,786,696; 4,166,152; 3,857,731; and3,691,140, the disclosures of which are incorporated here by reference.A RPSA typically comprises polymeric microspheres having an averagediameter of at least about one micrometer. The microspheres areinherently tacky and typically comprise at least about 70 parts byweight of an alkyl acrylate or alkyl methacrylate ester. A majority ofthe microspheres may contain interior voids, typically, at least about10 percent of the diameter of the microsphere. RPSAs are tacky to thetouch and typically demonstrate a peel adhesion of approximately 10 to300 gram/centimeters (g/cm), more typically approximately 50 to 250g/cm, and even more typically about 70 to 100 g/cm. Peel adhesion can bedetermined according to the test outlined in U.S. Pat. No. 5,045,569. ARPSA can be applied to a sheet using known methods including making asuspension of the microspheres and applying that suspension to the sheetby conventional coating techniques such as knife coating or Meyer barcoating or use of an extrusion dye (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,045,569 atcolumn 7, lines 40-50). Other methods to create repositionable adhesivecoatings are well known in the art and may include: printing a finepattern of adhesive dots; selective detackification of an adhesivelayer; and incorporating nontacky microspheres in an adhesive matrix.Other useful adhesives include high peel adhesives that may permanentlyattach a note. Examples of such adhesives include rubber resin andacrylic adhesives.

[0029]FIG. 3 illustrates an apparatus 40 useful for forming and applyingrepositionable sheets in registry onto a series of moving articles. Theapparatus 40 includes an article conveyor path and a repositionablesheet transport path. The two paths converge at an application station(indicated generally as at 42) where a cut repositionable sheet isadhered to each article. The apparatus 40 includes a base unit 44 whichserves to hold the supply of articles (e.g., advertising pieces 12) forprocessing. The base unit 44 includes an article conveyor 46 forsequentially transporting articles from one end of the base unit to theother, and in particular, across application station 42. Articleconveyor 46 may include a belt conveyor 46 a, chain link conveyor 46 b,or other suitable conveyance devices (e.g., rollers, etc.) which mayfurther include article spaced alignment tabs 47 for engaging a leadingend of an article 12 and positively positioning it relative to theapplication station 42. The article conveyor 46 is driven by a conveyordrive motor 48 to move articles in direction of arrow 49 in FIG. 3.After processing at the application station 42, the articles are furtherconveyed to a receiving area (not shown) where they are collected forfurther processing and/or distribution. A base unit for this purpose,which includes a conveyor for materials like advertising pieces, flyersor magazines, is the Kirk-Rudy Model 215 labeling base, available fromKirk-Rudy, Inc. of Kennesaw, Ga.

[0030] An optical sensor 51 is supported by the base unit 44 over theprocess path followed by the articles 12. The optical sensor 51generates a signal when it detects the presence of an article 12thereunder. The signal is provided to a process controller 86 (see FIG.4) for use in controlling operation of the apparatus 40, as discussedsubsequently. Preferably, the optical sensor is a photosensor such as anEaton sensor; Cutler Hammer, Comet Series, Series A2, 95015.

[0031] The base unit 44 also serves to support a sheet applicator head50, and a supply of linerless repositionable sheeting 52 which iselongated in a longitudinal orientation. The sheeting 52 is provided ina roll 53 which is rotatably mounted on a spindle 54 which, in turn, issupported by suitable means on the base unit 44 (alternatively, thespindle 54 may be supported by the head 50). The repositionable sheeting52 is referred to as “elongated” because it is not yet cut into a numberof discrete repositionable sheets, and thus the length of the elongatedrepositionable sheeting, as its name implies, is much greater than itswidth. The term “linerless” is used herein to mean an adhesive on asheet is exposed from the time the sheet is supplied with the adhesivesecured thereto (e.g., comes off a supply roll) to an apparatus foradhering the sheet to a substrate and the time the repositionable sheetis adhered to that substrate. A repositionable sheet is not consideredto be linerless when a liner covering the adhesive is removed to exposethe adhesive just prior to adhering the sheet to a substrate.

[0032] The elongated, linerless repositionable sheeting 52 is positionedon the roll 53 with its back or adhesive bearing side 55 a facing thecenter of the roll 53 and its top or information bearing side 55 bfacing the periphery of the roll 53. The repositionable cut sheets 14are cut from the sheeting 52. As such, the back (adhesive-bearing) side28 of the sheet 14 corresponds to the back side 55 a of the sheeting,while the top side 30 of the sheet 14 corresponds to the top side 55 bof the sheeting 52. The top side 55 b of the sheeting 52 may have a lowadhesion backsize coating thereon, to facilitate unwinding of thesheeting 52 from the roll 53. Such a low-adhesion backsize coating mayinclude silicone polymers, fluorocarbon polymers, urethanes, acrylates,and chrome complexes.

[0033] The rate of unwinding of the sheeting 52 from the roll 53 iscontrolled by a supply unwind apparatus 56, which is supported by thebase unit 44. Unwind apparatus 56 includes a drive motor 57 which isoperably coupled (e.g., by a belt drive) to rotate rubber drive roller58, which in turn is maintained in surface contact with thecircumference of the roll 53 of sheeting 52. The drive motor 57 anddrive roll 58 are pivotally supported above the roll 53 by a drivesupport arm 59, so that as the sheeting 52 is unwound from the roll 53and the circumference of the roll 53 becomes smaller, the drive roller58 is maintained (by gravity and the weight of the drive motor 57, driveroller 58 and support arm 59) in surface drive contact with the roll 53,as seen in FIG. 3.

[0034] As the sheeting 52 is unwound from the roll 53, it first passesover an idler roller 60 and then a dancer roller 61. Both rollers 60 and61 are supported by the base unit 44, but the idler roller 60 is heldstationary while the dancer roller 61 is mounted for pivotal movementabout the axis of the spindle 54 by a first portion 62 a of a dancersupport arm 62. A counterweight 63 is supported by an opposed secondportion 62 b of the dancer support arm 62, as seen in FIG. 3. The weightof the counterweight 63, through the dancer support arm 62, urges thedancer roller 61 upwardly. An optical sensor 64 (supported on the baseunit 44) generates a signal when it detects that the dancer support arm62 has pivoted upwardly to a predetermined position. That signal isprovided to the process controller 86, which in turn activates the drivemotor 57 to cause rotation of the roll 53 and release additionalsheeting 52 from the roll 53. As sheeting 52 is unwound from the roll53, sheeting-applied tension on the dancer roller 61 will diminish, andthe dancer support arm 62 will pivot downwardly and out of its signalgenerating position. The lack of a signal from the optical sensor 64will be noted by the controller 86 and the drive motor 57 deactivated.Preferably, the optical sensor 64 is a photosensor such as the BannerMini-Beam SM312DQG sensor, available from Banner EngineeringCorporation, Minneapolis, Minn., and the drive motor 57 is a BalderIndustrial motor identified as catalog No. GP7401, available from BalderElectric Co., Fort Smith, Ark.

[0035] The elongated, linerless repositionable sheeting 52 travelsthrough a series of rollers which define a process path before reachinga cut station 65, where the elongated sheet 52 is cut transverse to itsadvance direction in the process path to provide a discrete, cutrepositionable sheet 14 of desired length. As used herein, the term“cut” means the sheet has been completely severed from a largersheeting.

[0036] The sheet applicator head 50 is a Kirk-Rudy linerless pressuresensitive stamp affixer which has been modified for use in applyinglinerless repositionable sheeting. The specific stamp affixer used forthis purpose is KR-221-223 LSA stamp head, available from Kirk-Rudy,Inc. of Kennesaw, Ga., which was designed to apply roll form linerlesspressure sensitive postage stamps.

[0037] The head 50 is supported by suitable means over the base unit 44.Such means may include a transfer drive shaft 66, which is rotatablydriven by the motor 48 on the base unit 44, as well as by support bar68. The shaft 66 and bar 68 are supported by the base unit 44, andextend through or under the head 50. The head 50 is supported over thebase unit 44 in this manner to allow its transverse alignment relativeto the advancing articles therebelow, and thus allow selective placementof a sheet 14 across the face of the article 12 (as illustrated bydouble arrows 70 (in axis x) in FIG. 1).

[0038] The elongated, linerless repositionable sheeting 52 is unwoundfrom roll 53 through the process path by passing over the idler roller60 and dancer roller 61 as discussed, and then over a series of idlerrollers 72, 74 and 76. The process path is then defined by a back-upplate 78 and idler roller 80. The rollers 72, 74, 76 and 80 and back-upplate 78 are all supported on the head 50. A sheet uncurling bar (orbars) may also be disposed in the process path to remove tendencies ofthe sheeting 52 to curl after cut into individual cut sheets 14.

[0039] The rollers 76 and 80 are positioned so that the sheeting 53 isurged against the back-up plate 78 disposed therebetween (see FIGS. 1and 5). A hold-down brush 82 supported by the head 50 is disposedadjacent the back-up plate 78 and against the back side 55 a of thesheeting 52 to further urge the top side 55 b of the sheeting 52 againstthe back-up plate 78 as it passes thereover. The back-up plate 78 has agenerally planar face 83 (FIG. 5) over which the sheeting 52 traverses.

[0040] An optical sensor 84 is also supported by the head 50, and isdisposed immediately downstream of the brush 82 along the process path,and opposite the face 83 of the back-up plate 78. The sheeting 52 thuspasses between the back-up plate 78 and optical sensor 84.

[0041] In the case of paper sheeting used to produce cut sheets 14resembling POST-IT® brand notes (commercially available from MinnesotaMining and Manufacturing Company of St. Paul, Minn.), a series ofequally spaced (and preferably identically shaped) eyemarks 85 areprinted on the back side 55 a of the sheeting 52 (as seen in FIG. 5).The optical sensor 84 is positioned to illuminate and detect thepresence of the eyemarks 85 as the sheeting 52 is advanced along theprocess path. Upon detecting an eyemark 85, the sensor 84 provides asignal to a process controller 86 (FIG. 4). The brush 82 serves to holdthe sheeting 52 in alignment on the back-up plate 78, and reducepossible flutter or canting of the sheeting 52, thereby permittingprecise readings of the eyemarks 85 by the optical sensor 84 as thesheeting 52 is advanced along the process path. Preferably, the opticalsensor 84 is a photoelectric sensor such as a BANNER Mini-BeamSM312CVGQD sensor, available from Banner Engineering Corporation,Minneapolis, Minn.

[0042] After passing over the idler roller 80, the sheeting 52 thenpasses around a drive roller 90. The drive roller 90 is preferablyformed from aluminum, and engages the back or adhesive bearing side 55 aof the sheeting 52, and has its circumferential surface formed in amanner (such as grooves 92) so that it presents sufficient surface toengage and advance sheeting 52 along the process path, but does notpresent such a surface that allows the adhesive 26 to become adheredthereto instead of continuing to allow the sheeting 52 to be advanced.As best shown in FIG. 6, the elongated, linerless repositionablesheeting 52 is firmly pressed against drive roller 90 by one or morepinch rollers 94, so that sheeting 52 does not slip when the driveroller 90 advances the elongated, linerless repositionable sheeting 52.It is important that the elongated, linerless repositionable sheeting 52not slip when the drive roller 90 advances, otherwise the sheeting 52would not be cut to the proper size and some of the information printedon the top side 55 b thereof may be severed from the cut repositionablesheet 14. Preferably, the pinch rollers 94 do not urge portions of thesheeting 52 bearing adhesive 26 against the drive roller 90. A sheetguide 96 is also provided adjacent the drive roller 90 to aid in feedingthe sheeting 52 along the process path and into the cut station 65. Thesheet guide 96 has a curved face 98 which is radially spaced from thecircumference of the drive roller 90 a distance sufficient to permitsheeting 52 to pass therebetween, as seen in FIG. 3. The pinch rollers94 and sheet guide 96 are also supported by the head 50.

[0043] The drive roller 90 is driven by a stepper motor 100 mounted onthe head 50, preferably a SLO-SYN® synchronous stepping motor, modelM093-FD-8014, available from Superior Electric, Bristol, Conn.Activation of the stepper motor 100 is in turn controlled by signalsprovided by the process controller 86. More specifically, the steppermotor 100 is activated by a signal from a proximity switch 101 (FIG. 4)which serves to coordinate the advance of articles 12 and sheeting 52.The proximity switch 101 detects rotation of a shaft (not shown) on thehead 50 which is rotatably driven via the transfer drive shaft 66 (whichis, in turn, driven by the base unit conveyor motor 57). The proximityswitch 101 is preset to detect a rotation position of the shaft thatthen coordinates activation of the stepper motor 100 with the advance ofarticles 52 into the application station 42. When the stepper motor 100is activated, the process controller 86 also signals the supply unwindmotor 57 to permit a like amount of sheeting 52 to be dispensed from theroll 53 as it is advanced by the drive roller 90. The stepper motor 100is deactivated by the process controller 86 when an eyemark 85 isdetected by the photosensor 84.

[0044] From the drive roller 90, the process path enters the cut station65, where the elongated, linerless repositionable sheeting 52 is cutalong a line transverse to the direction of its advancement into aplurality of sequentially formed, discrete repositionable sheets 14.With the exception of the very first sheet cut from the elongated,linerless repositionable sheeting 52, each cut may define the trailingedge of the immediately cut sheet and the leading edge of the next cutsheet. Thus, virtually all of the linerless repositionable sheeting isused to form cut repositionable sheets, and the generation of excesswaste is avoided. In addition, no elongated sheeting remains which exitsthe apparatus after the sheeting has been cut, and thus no take-up reelis necessary to gather residual or unused elongated sheeting or liner.

[0045] At the cut station 65, a rotary knife 102 is mounted on the head50. The rotary knife 102 has a cutting edge 104 which acts againstopposed anvil 106 to sever the sheeting 52 disposed therebetween. Theanvil 106 is supported by the head 50 and serves to support the sheeting52 as it exits the drive roller 90 and sheet guide 96. Each cut by theknife 102 is made after advancement of the sheeting 52 a desired lengthto define a repositionable sheet 14. During each rotation of the knife102, the blade 104 also passes across a blade cleaning roll 108, whichserves to wipe the blade 104 clean of any adhesive or sheeting materialcarried thereby. The blade cleaning roll 108 is preferably formed fromfelt or some other suitable material for wiping the blade 104 as itpasses.

[0046] Drive roller 90 is selectively rotated to advance the elongated,linerless repositionable sheeting 52 through the cut station 65 on theprocess path defined on the head 50. After the sheeting 52 has advanced,the blade 104 of the rotary knife 102 is rotated past the anvil 106 tosever a cut sheet 14 from the leading portion of the elongated,linerless repositionable sheeting 52. As the rotary knife 102 is cuttingthe sheeting 52, a rotary transfer assembly 110 moves into place underthe cut sheet 14. Rotary transfer assembly has a transfer head 112 whichis aligned to rotate about a central drive shaft 114. The transfer head112 has an arc-shaped platen face 116 which is rotated through the cutstation 65 and transfer station 42 in direction of arrow 117. As thetransfer head 112 passes through the cut station 65, its platen face 116engages the nonadhesive side 30 of the cut sheet 14. The transfer head112 has a vacuum chamber (not shown) therein, which is coupled to one ormore vacuum pickup ports 118 on the platen face 116. A vacuum manifold122 is also coupled to a chamber in the transfer head 112 adjacent theshaft 114, and the manifold 122 is further coupled to a vacuum source bysuitable means, such as tubing 124. As is conventional, a vacuum isdrawn through the tubing and manifold on a constant basis, but thechamber and thus vacuum pickup ports 118 are shielded during rotation ofthe transfer head 112 so that a negative pressure is drawn throughvacuum pickup ports 118 only when desired (from the time cut sheet 14 ispicked up at the cut station 65 until it is laid down at the applicationstation 42). As the leading edge 120 of the transfer head 112 rotatesthrough the cut station 65, it becomes aligned with a leading edge 130of cut sheet 14. When that alignment is attained, a vacuum is drawnthrough vacuum pickup ports 118 to pull sheet 14 down against the platenface 116 and secure it thereto (see FIG. 7). Continued rotation of thetransfer head 112 (in the direction of arrow 117) thus carries the cutsheet 14 from the cut station 65 to the application station 42. A springsteel sheet guide 126 is aligned on the head 50 and adjacent the pathtraversed by the platen face 116 of the transfer head 112 to furtherprevent the dislodgement of the cut sheet 14 from the platen head 116.

[0047] As the leading edge 120 of the platen face 116 approaches thearticle 12 (which is also entering the application station 42), thesuction through vacuum pickup ports 118 is cut off to release the cutsheet 14 from the transfer head 112. The adhesive 26 on the back side 28of the cut sheet 14 adheres to the cover 16 of the article 12 to engageit thereto. The article 12 continues to advance (by operation ofconveyor 46) through the application station 42, and the transfer head112 continues to rotate, thereby pressing or wiping the cut sheet 14against the cover of the article 12 and further enhancing the adhesionof adhesive 26 therebetween.

[0048] A driven back-up roll 132 is supported by the base unit 44 tofurther define a nip through which the cut sheet 14 and article 12 mustpass in the application station 42 to facilitate this bonding process.The transfer head 112 and back-up roll 132 are driven by the base unitconveyor motor 48. The operative coupling of the drive shaft 114 for thetransfer head 112 (on the head 50) and the conveyor motor 48 (on thebase unit 44) is accomplished via the transfer drive shaft 66 mountedbetween the base unit 44 and head 50. After depositing a cut sheet 14 inthe application station, the transfer head 112 continues to rotate (indirection of arrow 117) back to the cut station 65 and into position toaccept another cut sheet 14 for pickup, transfer and application toanother article 12. This process is continued as desired until theappropriate number of promotional assemblies 10 are formed. In eachassembly 10, the cut sheet 14 will be applied in the same position(“registration”) relative to the cover 16 of the article 12, thusestablishing a very uniform and reliable set of promotional assemblies10. The transfer head 112 preferably has two platen faces 116, opposedby 180°, so that for each rotation of the transfer head 112, two cutsheets 14 are moved from the cut station 65 to the application station42.

[0049] In the case illustrated by FIG. 7, the sheet 14 is longer thanthe platen face 116 (trailing edge 121 of platen face 116 is overlappedby trailing edge 131 of sheet 14). The sheet 14 is released by thetransfer head 112 just prior to entering the application station 42 sothat as the transfer head 112 rotates, it wipes the entire sheet 14, outto its trailing edge 131. This may also be accomplished by setting theconveyor 46 for overtravel relative to the moving transfer head 112.

[0050] The rotary knife 102 is also driven by the base unit conveyormotor 48. Again, the operative coupling of the rotary knife (on the head50) and the conveyor motor 48 (on the base unit 44) is accomplished viathe transfer drive shaft 66 mounted between the base unit 44 and head50. A mechanical clutch (not shown) is disposed between the transferdrive shaft 44 and the rotary knife. That clutch is engaged by theprocess controller 86 when the photosensor 51 detects an advancingarticle 12 to rotate the knife 102. A knife rotation sensor 134 (FIG. 4)monitors the rotation of the knife 102, and momentarily disengages theclutch when the blade 104 is closely spaced to the anvil 106 to allowsufficient sheeting 52 to be advanced therebetween (to define thedesired cut length for the cut sheet 14) before the blade 104 reachesthe anvil 106 to make a cut.

[0051] As mentioned above, the apparatus is controlled by a processcontroller 86, based upon preset inputs (e.g., desired length of cutsheet 14, desired registration position of sheet applied on article 12(both in the x-axis and the y-axis, as seen in FIG. 1), as well asin-process signals from optical sensors 51 and 84, and the kniferotation sensor 134 and the proximity switch 101. The process controller86 thus activates the motors 48, 57 and 100, dependent upon the presetconditions and in-process signals to continually, uniformly andsequentially apply each cut sheet 14 in the same relative position on anarticle 12. With this apparatus, it is possible to create, for example,up to 15,000 identical promotional assemblies 10 per hour (with each cutsheet 14 having a length of 3 inches). Reducing the length of the cutsheet to one inch allows processing of up to 30,000 assemblies 10 perhour, and even faster processing times are contemplated. Conventionalmagazine binding equipment typically runs in the range of 9-10,000articles per hour, and thus the disposition of the apparatus of thepresent invention and its method along a magazine binding line will notinhibit normal processing, and the result will be a bound magazinebearing a partially coated RPSA sheet on at least one page thereof.

[0052] In short, and with reference to FIGS. 3-7, the apparatus of thepresent invention performs the following steps to adhere a cutrepositionable sheet 14 to an advertising piece 12. First, the base unitconveyor motor 48 is activated to initiate conveyance of articles 12sequentially through the application station 42. As sensor 51 detects anapproaching advertising piece 12, it relays a signal to processcontroller 86, which in turn activates the rotary knife 102 clutch sothat the knife 102 rotates for cutting. The proximity switch 101 detectsrotation driven by the base unit conveyor motor 44 and activates themotor 100 to rotate drive roller 90 to advance the elongated,repositionable sheeting 52. As sheeting 52 is pulled from the supplyroll 53, the dancer support arm 62 will move upwardly to be detected byoptical sensor 64. The sensor 64 will relay a signal to the processcontroller 86, which in turn activate the drive motor 57 (as necessary)to facilitate the unwinding of sheeting 52. The supply unwind apparatus56 thus serves to attenuate the otherwise incremental advance ofsheeting 52 from the roll 53.

[0053] As the sheeting 52 traverses the process path, the sensor 84detects an eyemark 85 on the back side 55 a of the elongatedrepositionable sheeting 52. Sensor 84 relays a signal to the processcontroller 86, which in turn deactivates the motor 100 to stop therotation of drive roller 90 and advance of the sheeting 52 along theprocess path. Rotation of the rotary knife 102 was momentarily stoppedby knife rotation sensor 134 to permit the desired length of sheeting 52to pass by the knife 102 prior to its severing the leading portion ofthe elongated repositionable sheeting 52 into a cut sheet 14. Thetransfer head 112 of the rotary transfer assembly 110 is rotated to aposition below the just cut sheet 14, and a negative pressure drawnthrough vacuum ports 118 to adhere the cut sheet 14 to the platen face116 of the transfer head 112. The transfer head 112 continues to rotate,approaching the application station 42. As the leading edge of the cutsheet 14 comes into registration and contact with the face of thearticle 12, the negative pressure is released, thereby releasing the cutsheet 14 from the platen face 116. The adhesive 26 on the cut sheet 14engages the article 12 as it moves through the application station 42.The transfer head 112 continues to rotate and the platen face 116presses or wipes the cut sheet 14 onto the article 12, backed up in thisposition by the driven back-up roller 132. The advertising piece 12 andsheet 14 adhered thereon (now a promotional assembly 10) continue toadvance in the direction of arrow 49 (via conveyor 46) to exit theapparatus. This process is repeated over again to register and adhereeach cut repositionable sheet 14 to an advertising piece 12. Onceapplied, the cut sheet 14 adheres via adhesive 26 to the article 12, butas mentioned above, the adhesive is RPSA and thus the cut sheet 14 maybe removed and re-adhered to the article 12, or removed for placement onan alternative clean surface (e.g., desk, refrigerator or for use, forexample, as a coupon).

[0054] The elongated, linerless repositionable sheeting can be formedfrom a bond paper, preferably having a basic weight of 15 to 25 pounds.Such paper is provided in elongated, roll form, and then cut intoseparate note sheets by the inventive apparatus. Typical properties ofsuch sheets include a caliper of 0.002 to 0.009 inches (51 to 229microns), and an adhesive area covering a portion of one surface of thesheet. The adhesive may cover from 10 percent to 90 percent of thesurface, preferably between 20 percent to 75 percent, and morepreferably between 15 to 50 percent. The adhesive may be coated as acontinuous stripe along an edge or be coated in a discontinuous pattern,such as lines of adhesive dots. Each sheet preferably bears a strip ofRPSA along one edge thereof on its back side, while on its top side,each sheet bears preprinted indicia or images. Preferably, only a minorportion of the back side of the cut sheet may bear RPSA. The top(nonadhesive bearing) side of the sheeting may be coated with a releaselayer to facilitate the unwinding of the roll.

[0055] The indicia or image borne by the sheets is preferably the samefor each cut sheet. Thus, the elongated sheeting material (prior tocutting) bears a repeating pattern of the same indicia or image alongits length. The pattern repeats in equal length segments, with eachsegment designed to be cut into a separate cut sheet.

[0056] The sheeting may also contain a line or path of weakness (such asperforations) generally parallel to the adhesive so that a portion ofthe sheet (without adhesive) could be separated from that portion of thesheet bearing adhesive. Thus, the nonadhesive portion can be tom awayfrom the adhesive portion (which may remain on the article). Thisembodiment may be particularly useful for coupons or return mailpostcards.

[0057] The eyemarks printed on the back of the sheeting are used todefine the cut length and control parameters for the apparatus.Preferably, the eyemarks are positioned along what would be the cut linebetween adjacent cut sheets on the elongated sheeting, so that aftercutting, half of each eyemark is borne by subsequently cut adjacentsheets.

[0058] Typically, a cut note sheet will be cut by the inventiveapparatus to a size of less than 100 square inches (645 cm²). Moretypically, cut sheets have a size in the range of 1 to 30 square inches(6 to 194 cm²), and even more typically in the range of 2.5 to 25 squareinches (16 to 161 cm²). Cut repositionable sheets frequently measureabout 3 inches by about 5 inches (7 by 13 cm) or about 4 inches by about6 inches (10 by 15 cm). Another common size is about 1.5 inches by about2 inches (3 cm by 5 cm). Using the present apparatus, typical cutlengths for each cut sheet range from 1 to 6 inches.

[0059] In the present apparatus, it is contemplated that rolls ofsheeting material up to 20 inches in diameter can be accommodated(depending upon the thickness of the sheeting material) and may providea supply of sheeting material having a generated length of about 2300lineal yards (about 2100 meters). For such a roll having a width ofabout three inches, the rollers 60, 61, 72, 74, 76, 80 and 90, plate 78and applicator head 112 have widths (transverse to the process path) ofabout 3.25 inches.

[0060] In the inventive apparatus, the optical sensor 84 which isemployed to detect the eyemarks 85 is a sensor suitable for detectingchanges in opacity. Thus, dependent upon the color of the sheeting, theeyemark may be darker or lighter than the sheeting color, so long as thechange in contrast between the eyemark and sheeting substrate color issufficient to generate a detection signal by the optical sensor 84.Typically, the eyemark will be a mark made with black ink, such asillustrated in FIG. 5.

[0061] For a sheeting material which results in a cut paper sheetsimilar to a POST-IT® brand note, the sheet substrate is an opaquepaper. Printing is required on both sides of the sheeting to deposit theeyemarks on the back side thereof and the preprinted indicia or image onthe top side thereof. In addition to opaque or paper cut sheets, such asPOST-IT® brand notes, the present invention is also applicable to othersheet structures. The sheeting material may be conventional bond orclay-coated paper, carbonless paper, a polymeric sheet material or evena metallic foil. Further, transparent or translucent substrate materials(i.e., light-transmissive) such as those used for POST-® brand tapeflags sold by Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, St. Paul,Minn., are also possible sheeting materials.

[0062] A tape flag is a discrete, flexible sheet which has a first majorside and a second major side. On its first major side (back side), RPSAis provided adjacent a first end of the elongated sheet (typically on atleast half or a major portion of the back side of the sheet). Adjacentits second end, the tape flag is provided with a visible indicator ofcontrasting color. This maybe an inked color covering a tab portion ofthe second end of the sheet (on either side thereof) or a preprintedimage or message (such as “Sign Here”). Tape flags are typically used astemporary indicators of pages in books or documents, or portions ofdocuments to be noted by a reader. That portion of the tape flag whichbears RPSA is sufficiently transparent when adhered to a page so thatunderlying text on the page may be perceived and read. Often, anindicator image (such as an arrow) is printed on this first transparentportion of the tape flag to enhance its use as an indicator of sectionsof a page to which it is adhered.

[0063] Because of the transparent nature of a portion of the tape flag,the preprinted indicia or image thereon itself can serve as an eyemarkfor tape flags dispensed and applied using the apparatus of the presentinvention. This is more fully described in connection with FIGS. 8-11and FIG. 3.

[0064]FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a promotional assembly 10 a that includesan advertising piece 12 and a repositionable sheet 214. The advertisingpiece is, for illustrative purposes, the same as that shown anddescribed previously, and again can be any article suitable for mountinga repositionable sheet thereon. As seen in FIG. 9, repositionable sheet214 is again secured directly to the advertising piece 12 by RPSA 226coated partially on the first or back side 228 of the sheet 214 (withthe RPSA 226 preferably coated over 25 to 75 percent of the back side228). Repositionable sheet 214 has a second or top side 230. Ink of acontrasting color or a preprinted message may be printed on either sideof the sheet 214 (if printed on the first side 228, the RPSA is appliedover the printing).

[0065] Each sheet 214 (as a tape flag) is typically elongated (with alength ranging from 1 to 3 inches), with a first end 231 and a secondend 233. The substrate polymer material for the sheet 214 is flexibleand generally transparent, as is the RPSA (disposed adjacent the firstend 231). Thus, when the sheet 214 is adhered to an article 12,underlying indicia or images on the article face can be seen through afirst transparent or read-through section 235 of the sheet 214. Adjacentits second end 233, the sheet 214 will bear a visually distinctive colorink in a second substantially opaque section 237, which is useful incalling attention to portions of the article 12 (and/or the secondsection 237 may include a printed message 238). The sheet 214 may alsoinclude an arrow or other indicator 239 printed on the first section 235thereof. In one embodiment, the tape flag sheet is formed from celluloseacetate, such as disclosed in Miles et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,907,825,which is incorporated by reference herein. In another embodiment, thetape flag sheet is formed from biaxially oriented polyethyleneterephthalate (PET). In either case, the tape flag sheet may have athickness ranging from 0.001 inch to 0.005 inch, and more preferably0.002 inch.

[0066] The physical handling of the tape flag sheeting in the apparatus40 of the present invention to effect sequential registration andapplication of cut tape flag sheets 214 onto the articles 12 is the sameas described previously for paper cut sheets 14, except that the presetparameters (e.g., cut length of sheet 214) may be different. Sheeting252 is provided in the form of a roll 253, as illustrated in FIG. 10.The sheeting 252 has a back adhesive bearing side 255 a facing thecenter of the roll 253 (which corresponds to back side 228 of sheet214), and a top or information readable side 255 b towards the peripheryof the roll 253 (which corresponds to top side 230 of sheet 214). Thesheeting 252 traverses the process path through apparatus 40 in the samemanner as previously described, with its adhesive side 255 a facingdrive roll 90, and its nonadhesive side 255 b ultimately engaged bytransfer head 112. The arrows 239 are repeatedly printed along thelength of the sheeting 252, one for each cut sheet 214 to be severedtherefrom. Because a portion of the sheeting 252 is generallytransparent (portion 261 (FIG. 10), corresponding to first section 235of cut tape flag sheet 214), the arrows 239 are visible on either sideof the sheet (regardless of which side the arrows 239 are printed on),and thus can serve as the eyemarks 285 for the tape flag sheeting 252.Other contrasting patterns or indicator marks printed on the sheeting252 can also serve as the registration means (eyemarks) so long as theyare sufficiently detectable.

[0067] A portion of the sheeting 252 is shown in FIG. 11 as disposed fordetection of eyemarks 285 by optical sensor 84. The tape flag sheeting252 extends between rollers 76 and 80, and across the face 83 of back-upplate 78. The brush 82 aids in holding the sheeting 252 flat against theback-up plate 78 for eyemark 285 detection by optical sensor 84 disposedthereabove (see FIG. 3). The arrows 239 present a sufficient contrast tothe transparent portion 261 of the sheeting 252 to permit detection andsignal generation by optical sensor 84. The signal generated by opticalsensor 84 is provided to the process controller 86, and again serves toregister the tape flag sheeting for advancement and cutting intodiscrete cut sheets 214, and ultimately for application onto thearticles 12.

[0068] Conventional tape flags are relatively narrow, and may range inwidth from 0.4 inch to 2 inches, and more preferably, about 1 inch.Using the apparatus 40, one inch wide (or long as viewed in direction ofadvancement through the process path) cut sheets are possible. Fornarrow width cut sheets of this type, some of the vacuum pickup ports118 may be covered (i.e., masked by the application of adhesive tape) sothat a vacuum is drawn only through those ports that are presented tothe cut sheet at the cutting station (e.g., in FIG. 7, port 118 a forcut sheet 214). Relatively long lengths of sheeting may be processedinto tape flags individually disposed on articles. For example, a rollof tape flag sheeting up to 14 inches in diameter can be processed,which would represent a generated length of about 1800 yards (1645meters).

[0069] One fundamental objective of the inventive method and apparatusis the formation of a multitude of identically registered promotionalarticles, where the cut sheet is adhered to the article in precisely thesame location every time. The system sensing and control means describedare thus provided to apply the cut sheet in register to the article(e.g., a magazine signature). In part, the degree of registration iscontrolled using register marks or eyemarks. The present inventivemethod and apparatus can provide a predetermined degree of registrationbetween the cut sheet and article of +/−one inch in any direction (x andy, as noted in FIG. 1); preferably, the degree of registration attainedis +/−0.33 inch in any direction (a tolerance known as “looseregister”); more preferably, the degree of registration attained is+/−0.125 inch in any direction; and most preferably, the degree ofregistration is +/−0.03125 inch in any direction (a tolerance known as“lap register”). These registration criteria are possible at all runrates of the inventive apparatus and method, including specifically runrates faster (over 3,000 assemblies per hour) than any known process orapparatus, run rates as fast (about 9,000 to 10,000 assemblies per hour)as conventional magazine binding equipment operates, and even faster runrates.

[0070] “Registration” is a term used in the printing industry relatingto the placement of ink or other converting between different stationson the printer or different pieces of equipment. Register marks oreyemarks are indicia (usually separate from the remaining printedgraphics of a printed piece) that are typically located along an edge ofthe printed piece. Such marks maybe “crosshairs” (indicia printed as twoperpendicular, straight lines intersecting at their midpoints) or may beprinted as a simple rectangle. Typically, these marks are cut off whenthe printed product is finished.

[0071] As described, the marks for the present invention may beseparately printed on the sheeting (e.g., as in FIG. 5) or may bedefined as a portion of the indicia or image printed on the sheeting(e.g., as in FIGS. 10 and 11). This latter approach eliminates printingon both sides of the sheeting (such as when the sheeting is transparent)and minimizes waste of the sheeting material (since no trimming isrequired), thus improving the overall efficiency of the process and itsmaterial usage. While the invention is illustrated by registration meanssuch as visually detectable eyemarks and detecting means therefor suchas photosensors, alternative registration and detecting systems arepossible. For example, the registration means can be visible, tactile,olfactory, auditory or tasteable, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,382,055, which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0072] Although the present invention has been described with referenceto preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize thatchanges may be made in form and detail without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of sequentially adhering linerlessrepositionable sheets to a corresponding sequence of articles, themethod comprising: (a) supplying an elongated linerless sheeting inwound roll form, the sheeting having a first major side and an oppositesecond major side, with pressure sensitive adhesive coating partiallydisposed on the first side of the sheeting and with the second sidethereof being free of adhesive; (b) advancing a leading portion of theelongated linerless sheeting along a process path until it reaches a cutstation; (c) laterally cutting the leading portion of the linerlesssheeting to define a first cut sheet having a first lead edge and asecond trailing edge; (d) aligning a vacuum platen having an arcuatecircumferential surface into engagement with at least a portion of thesecond side of the first cut sheet adjacent the first lead edge thereof;(e) forming a negative pressure on a portion of the arcuatecircumferential surface of the vacuum platen to affix the first cutsheet in the cut station thereto; (f) advancing a first article having aface into an applicator station adjacent the vacuum platen; (g) movingthe vacuum platen to carry the first cut sheet from the cut station tothe applicator station whereby the first cut sheet is aligned forplacement on the face of the first article; (h) relieving the negativepressure on the arcuate circumferential surface to release the first cutsheet from the vacuum platen; (i) moving the vacuum platen across theface of the article so that the pressure sensitive adhesive on the firstside of the first cut sheet is pressed against the face of the articleto bond the first cut sheet to the face of the article; (j) repeatingsteps (b) and (c) to define a second cut sheet from the elongatedlinerless sheeting; (k) repeating steps (d) and (e) with the vacuumplaten relative to the second cut sheet; (l) advancing a second articlehaving a face into the applicator station adjacent the vacuum platen;and (m) repeating steps (g), (h) and (i) with the second cut sheet toalign, release from the vacuum platen and then press the second cutsheet against the face of the second article by the arcuatecircumferential surface of the vacuum platen.
 2. The method of claim 1wherein the cutting step includes rotating a laterally disposed rotaryknife across the process path at the cut station.
 3. The method of claim2, and further comprising the step of: cleaning the rotary knife duringeach rotation thereof to inhibit the build-up of adhesive or sheetingmaterial on the knife.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the advancingstep includes driving the rotation of the wound roll of elongatedlinerless sheeting as it is unwound onto the process path.
 5. The methodof claim 1 wherein the elongated linerless sheeting has, on its firstside, a series of longitudinally disposed, equally spaced visualindicators, and wherein the method further comprises the step of:detecting each visual indicator on the sheeting as it is advanced alongthe process path to a generate a signal used for process controlpurposes.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the elongated linerlesssheeting is opaque.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the elongatedlinerless sheeting is light-transmissive.
 8. The method of claim 7wherein the light-transmissive sheeting has, on either side, a series oflongitudinally disposed, equally spaced visual indicators, and furthercomprising the step of: detecting each visual indicator on the sheetingas it is advanced along the process path to generate a signal used forprocess control purposes.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein at least thatportion of the elongated linerless sheeting coated with pressuresensitive adhesive is light transmissive.
 10. The method of claim Iwherein each article is continually advanced through the applicatorstation during the moving steps.
 11. The method of claim 1 wherein thevacuum platen is rotatable about an axis, and wherein the moving stepsinclude rotating the vacuum platen about the axis to pass the arcuatecircumferential surface thereon through the cut station and applicatorstation.
 12. The method of claim 1 wherein the cut sheets are adhered tothe articles to form an adhered sheet assembly at a rate of up to about30,000 adhered sheet assemblies per hour.
 13. The method of claim 1wherein the advancing step includes: rotating a drive roll in engagementwith the elongated linerless sheeting along the process path; anddriving the unwinding of the supply roll of elongated linerless sheetingto advance the sheeting onto the process path in controlled coordinationwith the rotation of the drive roll.
 14. The method of claim 1 whereinthe adhesive is a repositionable pressure sensitive adhesive.
 15. Amethod for affixing a plurality of sheets to a plurality of movingarticles comprising: providing a supply of sheets, each sheet havingrepositionable pressure sensitive adhesive on at least a back portionthereof; providing a supply of articles, each article having a facepresented for adhesion of a corresponding sheet thereto; sequentiallyapplying the sheets to the articles at a rate of over about 3,000 perhour; and aligning each sheet on the face of its respective article towithin about 0.125 inch of a desired location in any planar coordinate.16. The method of claim 15 wherein each cut sheet is aligned on eacharticle to within about 0.03125 inch of a desired location in any planarcoordinate on the face of the article.
 17. The method of claim 15wherein the sheet providing step includes: providing a roll of sheetmaterial; and sequentially cutting the sheet material from the roll intoidentically sized sections, with each section defining one sheet. 18.The method of claim 17 wherein the sheet material of the roll has aplurality of identically spaced registration indicators thereon, andwherein the aligning step includes: detecting the registrationindicators; and aligning the sheets relative to the articles as afunction of the detection of the registration indicators.
 19. An articleand sheet assembly formed by the method of claim
 15. 20. A method fordispensing tape flags from a roll of linerless sheet material which iselongated longitudinally, has first and second opposed surfaces, firstand second opposed side edges, and which has first and secondside-by-side longitudinally extending portions, the linerless sheetmaterial having a repositionable pressure sensitive adhesive on only thefirst portion of the first surface and being formed from a material thatis sufficiently transparent when adhered to a substrate that underlyingimages on the substrate are substantially visible through the linerlesssheet material, the method comprising: providing a repeating indiciapattern disposed on one of the surfaces of the sheet material, with eachof the repeating indicia patterns being sufficiently visible to definefirst and second indicators when the roll of sheet material is unwound;visibly detecting the first indicator during processing of the roll tofacilitate cutting apart discrete tape flag sheeting segments, of equallength, with each segment having a first side and a second side andbearing one of the repeated indicia patterns thereon; and visiblydetecting the second indicator from the second side of each cut segmentwhen that cut segment has its first side adhered to a surface in orderto direct attention to a section of that surface.